7mm 160 TMK experiences

[JRem257]

Lots of info out there about the smaller caliber TMKs, but has anyone have any experiences with the 160s out of the magnum 7s (Rem mag, SAUM, WSM, etc.)?

 

[st1650]

I bought a couple of boxes of 160 TMK and will do some test comparing to the 166 ATIPs and 162 ELDM. Also curious if anyone had any experience with them on game.

 

[Formidilosus]

They perform very well.

 

[kevlar88]

It’s what I’ll be shooting out of my 280 this year in NZ. I’ll report back mid April if I’m lucky enough to put one through a stag or thar.

 

[st1650]

Planning to run 62.5-63.5 N560 at 2.945 out of a ARC Archimedes SA with Hawkins hunter flush magazines. Hoping to get 2950-3000 FPS out of a 24in tube.

 

[2Stamp]

They perform very well.

The 160 TMK is one of two bullets I've considered trying in my 280ai (162 ELD-M is the other). I'm assuming both can be quite devastating in deer sized animals. Any experience with either on Elk?

 

[st1650]

The 160 TMK is one of two bullets I've considered trying in my 280ai (162 ELD-M is the other). I'm assuming both can be quite devastating in deer sized animals. Any experience with either on Elk?

Just FYI, no experience with the TMK but my buddy had no problem killing elks at 7mm-08ai speeds (2700 fps) at 500-600 yards with the 162 amax and eldm. He’s doing the 7-6.5prc now so that he can do the 180 eldm out of a tikka action length but the 162 has been his elk/moose bullet for the longest time.
Personally I prefer the 160s in the 7SAUM because I run short actions, it’s less recoil and more speed and they still have very good BCs and I doubt I’ll take many shots further than 500 yards so might as well take the extra speed and flatter shooting bullet.

 

[2Stamp]

Just FYI, no experience with the TMK but my buddy had no problem killing elks at 7mm-08ai speeds (2700 fps) at 500-600 yards with the 162 amax and eldm. He’s doing the 7-6.5prc now so that he can do the 180 eldm out of a tikka action length but the 162 has been his elk/moose bullet for the longest time.
Personally I prefer the 160s in the 7SAUM because I run short actions, it’s less recoil and more speed and they still have very good BCs and I doubt I’ll take many shots further than 500 yards so might as well take the extra speed and flatter shooting bullet.

I know they kill, just wondering on levels of damage. Form has stated previously on a podcast a 30 cal match bullet almost took the far shoulder off a deer.

 

[JRem257]

I know they kill, just wondering on levels of damage. Form has stated previously on a podcast a 30 cal match bullet almost took the far shoulder off a deer.

I was asking hoping to hear they fragment consistently and aggressively with that relatively large tip/cavity.

 

[Formidilosus]

The 160 TMK is one of two bullets I've considered trying in my 280ai (162 ELD-M is the other). I'm assuming both can be quite devastating in deer sized animals. Any experience with either on Elk?

Yes to both. Both create very good wounds, I prefer the wound shape that TMK’s make and therefore overall behavior in tissue. However, the 162gr ELD-M kills well and I don’t loose sleep over which one.

 

[Formidilosus]

I was asking hoping to hear they fragment consistently and aggressively with that relatively large tip/cavity.

They do.

 

[JRem257]

They do.

Thank you - that’s helpful.

 

[st1650]

For those who load 7SAUM at SA length:
62.5gr N560 3000 FPS out of a 24in barrel.
160 TMK 2.945in
ADG brass
5 shot, 0.25in group SD 4.3 es 12.2

Very forgiving load. 63.0gr was 20 fps faster and same accuracy and poi.

They were also a tad more accurate than the 162 eldm.

 

[kevlar88]

It’s what I’ll be shooting out of my 280 this year in NZ. I’ll report back mid April if I’m lucky enough to put one through a stag or thar.

Forgot about this but better late then never. Killed my stag this year at 330 yards. I'm shooting a 280 rem with a muzzle velocity averaging 2915 (23" barrel with a healthy dose of magpro). Stag was quartering away and placed the bullet right in the crease with an impact velocity of about 2450fps. The bullet did it's job as the stag was down within 5-10 sec. There was no exit and the off side shoulder was completely intact and not broken so I can only imagine the bullet fragmented rapidly even at that impact velocity. Unfortunately I shot the deer late in the day and was doing all I could to get it packed up before the horrible weather rolled in and didn't do much of a necropsy but you know the internal damage is significant when you can here sloshing around in the chest cavity.

Still on the fence with the rapid expansion bullets. I never expect any animal I shoot to be a bang flop and it's always been easier to track animals bleeding from two holes than just one. These animals can cover some serious ground in a very short time and when they get into the thick stuff the more blood the better.

 

[2Stamp]

The load I settled on for my 280ai is Peterson brass, Fed 210, 59.5gr of N560; averaging 3011 over 15 rounds and 1.5moa at 100yds. Plan to use this on elk in late Oct.

 

[solarshooter]

Personally I wouldn't pick that bullet, due mostly to it's subpar BC and form factor, poor track record of consistent availability from Sierra, and average to below average precision I've found in past tests of these TMKs (not this exact bullet however).

I personally focus on form factor over outright BC, since that will likely give the best overall trajectory. The 162 ELDM is not just the best 7mm bullet out there in this regard, it's one of the best overall bullets from 22 to 7mm that I've assessed period. Accuracy with the 162 and Hornady in general is not as good as Berger, but likely more than adequate for a hunting rifle. I personally plan on making the switch from the Berger 175 EH to the 162 ELDM once my 284 barrel comes back from getting cut and threaded at 20".

 

[solarshooter]

The load I settled on for my 280ai is Peterson brass, Fed 210, 59.5gr of N560; averaging 3011 over 15 rounds and 1.5moa at 100yds. Plan to use this on elk in late Oct.

What barrel length? I've been considering trying N560 in my 284 Win with the 162. The temp sensitivity of the powder puts me off a little bit however...

 

[2Stamp]

What barrel length? I've been considering trying N560 in my 284 Win with the 162. The temp sensitivity of the powder puts me off a little bit however...

22".

 

[solarshooter]

22".

That's screaming. Maybe I will try it... I'm going to see where I get with H4831SC or H1000 first, since I have those on hand and know they are accurate and temp stable.

 

[Jordan Smith]

I personally focus on form factor over outright BC, since that will likely give the best overall trajectory.

That's not quite right. Trajectory depends on the bullet's BC, which depends, in part, on the bullet's form factor, but also on its SD. The proportionality constant for both form factor and SD is 1 (an equal dependence on both).